Isco, a major supplier of high density polyethylene pipe to diverse industries, is based in Louisville, Ky. Forrer, based in East Moline, Ill., also focuses on HDPE pipe and related products for a broad range of markets. Both also fabricate pipe products and rent fusion equipment to join pipe in the field. Isco said both companies have experienced “explosive growth during the past decade.”

“Acquisitions are a key part of our long-term growth strategy, and we’re especially good at integrating new people and products,” noted Isco President Vince Tyra in a Jan. 31 news release.

Isco boasts 30 facilities in the United States, Canada, Australia and Chile. Forrer has five U.S. locations besides East Moline. Isco said it will continue to operate various Forrer regional locations but it did not specify which ones.

Isco made a strategic move late last year to help it exploit the shale oil and gas boom when it set up a distribution point in Pleasanton, Texas, on the northern edge of the Eagle Ford play. HDPE pipe is a popular choice for oil and gas gathering systems.

Expanding its pipe offerings, Isco added reinforced polypropylene pipe and fittings to its lineup last fall. The pipe, reinforced with an encapsulated layer of fiberglass, has very high pressure ratings. Random copolymer, highly crystalline PP is extruded for the pipe.